There is an internal rule here that a pitcher coming off the disabled list or called up from the minors is never picked to win a game. But Brett Cecil seemed to be unceremoniously dumped by the Blue Jays earlier in the season and that was the pick. He wasn't effective and Jeff Karstens again pitched really well. The Pirates are simply amazing. So the picks went to 4-3.
It soon went to 4-4 when this picker picked against Wandy Rodriguez. Wandy has always been a favorite here, but his team is so bad that the Rangers couldn't possibly lose, right? Wrong. Houston shut them out, 7-0. Only the Cardinals, backed by two homers by Lance Berkman, overcame another dismal start by Jaime Garcia to out-slug Brian Matusz and the Orioles. Poor Matusz was sent to the minors after the game. That win saved the picks and also won the Game of the Day.
Thanks in large part to interleague, the Fan ended up with a winning percentage of just .537 for the month of June. July will be better, doggone it. And it starts today:
- The Blue Jays over the Phillies: What!? Starting off the new month with a questionable pick? Well, Kyle Kendrick starts for the Phillies while Ricky Romero starts for the Blue Jays. That seems to add up to a Blue Jays' win.
- The Cubs over the White Sox: Let's give the Cubbies a nod after a plucky win yesterday. While the White Sox had their own plucky win, this picker can never count on Edwin Jackson. Going with Randy Wells.
- The Pirates over the Nationals: The Nats were doing great until Davey Johnson showed up. They haven't won since. But that's just a fluke, of course. Things won't get better today as Tom Gorzelanny hasn't been very good (except his last outing). The Pirates win despite putting Charlie Morton back on the mound.
- The Giants over the Tigers: Comerica is cavernous like where the Giants play. That works for Madison Bumgarner and against Brad Penny.
- The Indians over the Reds: Justin Masterson's luck has to change sooner or later. Bronson Arroyo is a tough hombre, but the Indians have the bats that can get to him.
- The Yankees over the Mets: Ivan Nova needs to make his case to stay in the rotation once Phil Hughes comes back. So he has a good game against the Mets and Jonathan Niese.
- The Cardinals over the Bay Rays: Wade Davis throws a straight fastball. The Cards should jump on it early to provide enough of a cushion for the erstwhile Jake Westbrook.
- The Braves over the Orioles: The Orioles are in a really bad stretch and it shouldn't improve against Jair Jurrjens today. They counter with Jeremy Guthrie, their most experienced pitcher...for what that's worth.
- The Red Sox over the Astros: Bud Norris can be good. But the Red Sox's line up is just too good. Tim Wakefield with a win for the geezer set.
- The Marlins over the Rangers: Anibal Sanchez is probably the Marlins' best pitcher and gives them the best chance to win in this series. Alexi Ogando has lost his confidence after a couple of bad outings.
- The Royals over the Rockies: Danny Duffy has good stuff but needs to locate it better. He started to do that his last outing. Juan Nicasio hasn't done anything good since his first start.
- The Brewers over the Twins: The Brewers desperately need a win and Yovani Gallardo needs to be very good to get it against Francisco Liriano.
- The Diamondbacks over the Athletics: Rich Harden makes his first start of the season after a bad lat pull put him on the 60-day DL. Can't pick him under those circumstances. Josh Collmenter with the win.
- The Dodgers over the Angels: Hiroki Kuroda deserves a win. He's been pitching so well with nothing to show for it. He'll probably get traded anyway. But he beats Tyler Chatwood in this one with Kemp and Ethier doing the damage.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Mariners over the Padres: Give Dustin Moseley props. He's hung in there. But Jason Vargas should shut the Padres' offense down enough to give the Mariners a win. Dustin Ackley looks like the real deal.
Yesterday: 5-4
Week: 33-30
June: 217-187
Season; 653-554
Games of the Day: 58-34
No comments:
Post a Comment